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There’s nothing quite like a heartfelt love story—the kind that makes you blush, brings tears to your eyes, and leaves you smiling with joy. And when those love stories feature queer characters, the celebration feels all the more important. In this Valentine’s Day-themed class, we will craft romantic narratives that highlight the unique chemistry and tension between queer characters. We’ll explore why our characters fall in love, how they express their needs, and the many ways they build intimacy with the ones they care for. Readings will include works by LGBTQ+ authors such as Tee Franklin, Junauda Petrus, C.B. Lee, and Malinda Lo, with a possible dip into pop culture references like Buffy the Vampire Slayer for inspiration.
• In-Class Writing Lift: Light
• Homework: None
• Workshopping Drafts: None
Gabby Rivera is a Bronx-born queer Puerto Rican babe on a mission to create the wildest, most fun stories ever. Gabby is the first Latina ever to write for Marvel comics, penning the solo series AMERICA about America Chavez, a portal-punching queer Latina powerhouse. Gabby’s critically acclaimed debut novel Juliet Takes a Breath was called “f*cking outstanding” by Roxane Gay and was re-published by Penguin Random House in 2019.
Gabby presented before the United Nations in 2020 as an invited speaker to their Unstereotyping Alliance Conference, and she has collaborated with groups such as the Ford Motor Company, the Makers Women’s Conference and Somos Familia, to uplift joyful storytelling and the magic of queer diasporicans everywhere.
In 2022, Gabby became a Sundance Screenwriters Fellow and received an Advancing Justice Award from Catalyst California, alongside activist Dolores Huerta. She currently resides on the West Coast.
Gabby is new to The Porch. Welcome!
